Laser hair removal is a safe, efficient method to get rid of unwanted body hair. It eliminates the need for depilation, waxing and shaving and can even help prevent ingrown hairs from appearing.
Under this process, the melanin pigment in your hair follicles absorbs light energy and converts it to heat energy that damages its compartments and inhibits hair growth – although this cannot guarantee permanent hair removal.
The target is the hair follicle
Laser hair removal is an efficient, painless and permanent way of eliminating unwanted hair from the surface of the skin. Unlike shaving, plucking, and waxing – which only remove the hair at its root level – laser hair removal uses pulsed light energy to target its source and stop future growth. While most people report no discomfort from laser treatments, some may experience burning or stinging sensations during treatment; to minimize discomfort before treatment most technicians apply topical anesthetic cream prior to starting.
Laser hair removal works by passing a pulse of light over your skin and into your hair follicle, where melanin absorbs it to transform its energy into heat, destroying it and stopping future hair growth. Depending on your skin type and unwanted hair growth patterns, several laser treatments may be necessary before your unwanted hair has been completely eradicated; light skin with dark hair typically sees more permanent results than others.
Diode lasers are among the most widely-used lasers for hair removal, producing intense heat that kills off hair follicles without harming surrounding tissues and is therefore considered one of the safest options available to those with sensitive skin. This process is known as selective photothermolysis.
Hair grows in cycles that include resting, shedding and growing phases. When in its shedding stage, the hair cannot be seen by a technician or laser and therefore cannot be destroyed; any hair removed during this phase will regrow but with thinner and lighter colored strands than its original appearance.
To ensure the laser energy reaches the hair follicles effectively, your technician must shave the area prior to treatment. Hair should be at least an inch long so melanin can be absorbed by the laser; you shouldn’t shave this area again until after all treatments have been completed.
Hair removal with lasers may not be permanent, though it will significantly decrease the rate of new hair growth for years. When hair does reemerge, it will be finer and less noticeable than before; however, please keep in mind that individual results vary and touch-up treatments may be needed at times.
The target is the skin
Laser hair removal is a highly popular cosmetic procedure that utilizes laser light to safely and effectively eliminate unwanted hair. Melanin pigment in hair follicles absorbs the laser light and absorbs it, heating up as it penetrates to destroy future growth of new follicles. While not permanent, laser hair removal requires several sessions for best results as opposed to shaving or waxing alone – plus it reduces ingrown hairs and razor bumps!
Prior to beginning laser hair removal treatments, your doctor will review your medical history and outline the procedure with you. They may also perform a patch test in the area you intend to treat; this test will help them establish which settings the laser needs and how your skin reacts. It is wise to choose a doctor with experience treating skin types similar to your own when selecting laser treatment doctors.
Preparing for laser hair removal requires shaving the area prior to treatment on the day before. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to limit sun exposure by wearing sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 rating every day and applying topical anesthetic prior to the procedure for added comfort and it is wise to refrain from plucking, waxing or using other hair-removal methods for at least 30 days prior to any appointments for laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal requires pressing a handheld device against your skin and pulse the laser, which may feel similar to snapping rubber bands against it. Any discomfort may last for several hours post treatment; to alleviate it further use an ice pack on the area treated.
Laser hair removal involves your doctor matching a specific wavelength of light to both your hair color and skin type, enabling it to target and destroy melanin pigment in hair follicles without harming nearby tissues. Depending on these factors, treatment can take more or less than an hour depending on its complexity; once completed it’s important that direct sunlight be avoided as much as possible and broad-spectrum sunscreen should be worn around treated areas afterwards.
The target is the melanin
Laser hair removal treatments utilize a concentrated beam of light energy to effectively eliminate unwanted body hair. The laser energy passes through the skin and heats melanin pigment in hair follicles, which shrinks them and thus stops future hair growth cycle. Laser hair removal treatments are safe and effective but may take multiple sessions before reaching desired results; also be sure to choose an experienced technician as improper use can cause scarring or burns.
Laser hair removal can be completed quickly and painlessly, using topical numbing cream applied directly to the skin prior to treatment, with patients being advised not to pluck or wax for several weeks prior to their procedure, while sun exposure should also be limited so as to not cause irritation during or post treatment.
Laser hair removal is an efficient and fast method for eliminating unwanted hair on arms, legs, armpits, chest back face bikini areas and arms. It works on coarse and fine hair types and any skin tone; darker complexions benefit especially as laser light wavelengths attract melanin pigmentation in skin cells. Unfortunately, laser hair removal doesn’t permanently erase every hair; touch-up sessions may be required after several sessions to maintain results.
Melanin is the pigment responsible for giving our skin its color and protecting us against UV rays naturally. Produced by cells called melanocytes in our skin, melanin is then transported through blood vessels to other tissues of the body such as hair follicles to provide its color; during laser hair removal sessions this melanin absorbs laser light, turning it into heat energy that damages hair follicles permanently; thus stopping further hair growth while making existing ones less noticeable.
Up until recently, laser treatment of areas rich with melanin was limited to Fitzpatrick skin types I to III due to earlier lasers absorbing epidermal melanin and leading to vesiculation or damage of treatment areas. To counteract this trend, longer wavelength lasers were developed that penetrate the dermis without absorption of melanin from epidermis layers.
The target is the blood vessels
Laser hair removal uses pulses of light energy to target and destroy the blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles, thereby stopping their production of new hairs. Once all follicles have been destroyed, your skin becomes smoother, eliminating the need to shave as frequently.
Procedure is generally pain-free when performed by a dermatologist or trained technician; those with sensitive skin can apply topical anesthetic prior to treatment to reduce discomfort. Treatment typically lasts from several minutes up to an hour; multiple sessions may be necessary in order to achieve desired results.
Contrary to electrolysis, which involves using electric current to destroy hair follicles, laser hair removal does not harm the surface of skin and can be applied on all types. Results will differ for everyone as some areas produce more hair than others and hormones may trigger hair growth in different ways; so it is wise to discuss expectations with a physician or hair removal specialist before beginning laser hair removal treatment.
Before undergoing laser treatment, it is advised to refrain from using any sunless skin creams as these may darken your skin and make it difficult for the laser light to penetrate it. Also avoid plucking, waxing and other methods of hair removal before beginning laser treatment; and it’s a good idea to refrain from plucking, waxing and other methods such as waxing to ensure a clear skin complexion before treatment begins. It is wise to stay out of direct sunlight as self-tanners may interfere with results while staying out of direct sunrays can also hinder results; for dark-skin complexions your dermatologist may recommend pretreatment using skin-bleaching cream prior to laser treatment.
Depending on the color and thickness of your hair, selecting an effective laser or light-based device for hair removal depends on a number of factors. Spot size (width of laser beam), fluence (power density) and spot penetration depth are among them; they affect how deep a laser beam penetrates, while fluence controls how much energy reaches each follicle.
